Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Biology (Concentration: Marine and Freshwater Biology)
University of New Hampshire
2010

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Evolutionary Biology
Cornell University
2015

Functional Morphology

Evolutionary Morphology

Biomechanics

Ichthyology

BIOL 102 – General Biology II

BIOL 252 – Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates

BIOL 216 – Honors Orientation

BIOL 494 – Senior Seminar

BIOL/G 302/705 – Organismal Biomechanics

BIOG 200 Biological Writing for Graduate Students

Effect of parabranchial position on ventilatory pressures in the Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi)

Effect of parabranchial position on ventilatory pressures in the Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi)

The mechanics of ventilation in elasmobranchs have been described as a two-pump system which is dependent on the generation of differential pressures between the orobranchial and parabranchial cavities. However, this general model does not take into account sources of variation in parabranchial form and function. For example, the relative pressures that drive flow in each parabranchial chamber during ventilation remain largely unexplored. To address this gap, parabranchial pressures were collected from the Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi, n = 12) during routine ventilation using transducers inserted into parabranchial chambers 2, 3, and 5, numbered anteriorly to posteriorly.

Functional morphology of the urohyal shunt for symmetrical and asymmetrical ventilation in the flatfish, Isopsetta isolepis

Functional morphology of the urohyal shunt for symmetrical and asymmetrical ventilation in the flatfish, Isopsetta isolepis in Integrative and Comparative Biology, 62(4), pp.897-907

Our study examines whether the kinematics and pressures generated by the gill chambers are also symmetrical during breathing above and below the sediment and during rapid burial in sediment. We studied Isopsetta isolepis individuals using sonomicrometry crystals to measure the changes in positions of the opercle bones relative to the urohyal and pressure transducers to record gill chamber pressures during burial.

Integration drives rapid phenotypic evolution in flatfishes

Integration drives rapid phenotypic evolution in flatfishes

The evolution of cranial asymmetry in flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes) from within Carangaria was a rapid evolutionary innovation that preceded the colonization of benthic aquatic habitats by this clade, and resulted in one of the most bizarre body plans observed among extant vertebrates. Here, we use three-dimensional geometric morphometrics and a phylogenetic comparative toolkit to reconstruct the evolution of skull shape in carangarians, and quantify patterns of integration and modularity across the skull.

Functional coupling in the evolution of suction feeding and gill ventilation of sculpins

Functional coupling in the evolution of suction feeding and gill ventilation of sculpins

Functional coupling, functional coordination, and evolutionary integration have each been proposed to limit morphological diversification to some extent. Yet teleosts show extraordinary cranial diversity, suggesting that there are mechanisms within some teleost clades that promote morphological diversification, even within the highly integrated suction feeding and gill ventilatory systems. To investigate this, we quantified evolutionary integration among four mechanical units associated with suction feeding and gill ventilation in a diverse clade of benthic, primarily suction-feeding fishes (Cottoidei; sculpins and relatives).

Pharyngeal jaws converge by similar means, not to similar ends, when minnows

 Pharyngeal jaws converge by similar means, not to similar ends, when minnows

 Within the North American leuciscids, many genera contain at least one herbivore, insectivore, and larvaphage. We created 3D models from micro-computed tomography scans of 165 leuciscid species to measure functionally relevant traits within the pharyngeal jaws of these fishes. Using a published phylogeny, we tested these metrics for evolutionary integration, phylogenetic signal, and correlation with diet. Measurements of the pharyngeal jaws, muscle attachment areas, and teeth showed strong positive evolutionary correlation with each other and negative evolutionary correlation with measurements of the inter-ceratobranchial ligament (ICB ligament).

Enormous gill chambers of deep‐sea coffinfishes support unique ventilatory specialisations such as breath holding and extreme inflation

Enormous gill chambers of deep‐sea coffinfishes (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae) support unique ventilatory specialisations such as breath holding and extreme inflation

For this study, we combined analysis of publicly available video recorded by remote-operated vehicles (ROV) with detailed anatomical study of museum specimens to document the functional morphology of the massive gill chambers that are observed in coffinfishes (Lophiiformes: Chaunacidae).

Evolution of skeletal and muscular morphology within the functionally integrated lower jaw adduction system of sculpins and relatives

Evolution of skeletal and muscular morphology within the functionally integrated lower jaw adduction system of sculpins and relatives

Sculpins primarily rely on suction feeding for prey capture, but there is considerable variation in evasiveness of their prey, resulting in variation in anatomy of the lower jaw-closing mechanism. We used functionally-relevant linear measurements to characterize skeletal and muscular components of this system among 25 cottoid species and two outgroup Hexagrammoidei (greenling) species.

Effects of organism and substrate size on burial mechanics of English sole, Parophrys vetulus

Effects of organism and substrate size on burial mechanics of English sole, Parophrys vetulus

We quantified the effects of organism and particle-size scaling on burial behavior of English sole, Parophrys vetulus We recorded burial events from a size range of individuals (5-32 cm total length, TL), while maintaining constant substrate grain size. Larger fish used lower cycle frequencies and took longer to bury, but overall burial performance was maintained (∼100% coverage). To test the effect of particle size on burial performance, individuals of similar lengths (5.7-8.1 cm TL) were presented with different substrate sizes (0.125-0.710 mm).

Banning DEI Is Catastrophic for U.S. Science

Banning DEI Is Catastrophic for U.S. Science

An attack on DEI is an attack on science itself, Joseph L. Graves Jr., Stacy C. Farina, Parvin Shahrestani, Vaughn S. Cooper and Gilda A. Barabino write.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities Have Affirmative Action Solutions. But They Need Help

Historically Black Colleges and Universities Have Affirmative Action Solutions. But They Need Help

The Supreme Court undermined affirmative action at prestige universities. We need a new science and technology agenda at every school, one that includes historically underserved people.

Why Scientists Must Stand for Affirmative Action and against Scientific Racism

Why Scientists Must Stand for Affirmative Action and against Scientific Racism

On June 29 the U.S. Supreme Court overturned universities' ability to consider race in admissions. In this October 2022 opinion piece, two researchers reflect on scientists' responsibility to combat racism and defend affirmative action.